X 



No. 440 



iternational Copyrighted (in England, her 
3s, and the United States) Edition of the 
PS 3525 Works of the Best Authors 

____ iiiiiiiiiiiniit 

.0773 
S5 

1922 

Copy 1 

1 ine Shop of Perpetual 
Youth 

I A PLAYLET IN ONE SCENE 



BY 
KATHERINE MORSE 



Copyright, 1922, by Samuel French 



A)nateu)-s mau produce this play without paymeyit of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 



Price 30 Cents 



New roRK 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 West 3xth Stkebt 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 



liiiiniiiiiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 



THE REJUVENATION OF AUNT MARY. 

The famous comedy in three acts, by Anne Warner. 7 males, 6 
females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2^ hours. 

This is a genuinely funny comedy with splendid parts for "Aunt 
Mary," "Jack," her lively nephew; "Lucinda," a New England an- 
cient maid of all work; "Jack's" three chums; the Girl "Jack" loves; 
"Joshua," Aunt Mary's hired man, etc. 

"Aunt Mary" was played by May Robson in New York and on tour 
for over two years, and it is sure to be a big surcess wherever pro- 
duced. We strongly recommend it. Price, 60 Cents. 



MRS. BUMSTEAD-LEIGH. 

A pleasing- comedy, in three acts, by Harry James Smith, author of 
"The Tailor-Made Man." 6 males, 6 females. One interior scene. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

Mr. Smith chose for his initial comedy the complications arising 
from the endeavors of a social climber to land herself in the altitude 
peopled by hyphenated names — a theme permitting innumerable com- 
plications, according to the spirit of the writer. 

This most successful comedy was toured for several seasons by Mrs. 
Fiske with enormous success. Price, 60 Cents. 



MRS. TEMPLE'S TELEGRAM. 

A most successful farce in three acts, by Frank Wyatt and Wil- 
liam Morris. 5 males, 4 females. One interior scene stands through- 
out the three acts. Costumes modern. Plays 2Y2 hours. 

"Mrs. Temple's Telegram" is a sprightly farce in which there is 
an abundance of fun without any taint of impropriety or any ele- 
ment of offence. As noticed by Sir Walter Scott, "Oh, what a 
tangled web we v/eave when first we practice to deceive." 

There is not a dull moment in the entire farce, and from the time 
the curtain rises until it makes the final drop the fun is fast and 
furious. A very exceptional farce. Price, 60 Cents. 



THE NEW CO-ED. 

A comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of "Tempest and 
Sunshine," etc. Characters, 4 males, 7 females, though any number 
of boys and girls can be introduced in the action of the play. One 
interior atid one exterior scene, but can be easily played in one inte- 
rior scene. Costumes modern. Time, about 2 hours' 

The theme ^ this play is the coming of a new student to the col- 
lege, her reception by the scholars, her trials and final triumph. 

There are three especially good girls' parts, Letty, Madge and 
Estelle, but the others have plenty to do. "Punch" Doolittle and 
George Washington Watts, a gentleman of color, are two particular^ 
good comedy characters. V/e can strongly recommend "The New 
Co-Ed" to high schools and amateurs. Price. 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriprive Catalogue Mailed Free on Reauest 



The Shop of Perpetual 
Youth 

A PLAYLET IN ONE SCENE 



By 
KATHERINE MORSE 



Copyright. 1922, by Samuel French 



Amateurs may produce this play without payment of royalty. 
All other rights reserved. 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



P5352,5 
.©77355 



CHARACTERS 

Wax Model of Woman. 
Wax Model of Young Girl. 
Wax Model of Man. 
An Elf. 

Proprietress of Shop. 
John, a servant. 



Scene : Beauty parlor ivindow. 
Time: Hallozvc'cn night. 



Note. — The author is indebted to Miss Leah 
Siegel, who wrote some of the dialogue, and to Miss 
Lenore Rothschild, who wrote the words for the 
song. 



3 
©CI.0 G2509 

OCT 18 1922 



The Shop of Perpetual 
Youth 



Scene: A beauty parlor icindow. Three ivax 
models in ivindo-cc. Slcjii above : "Dorothy Siio-u', 
Facial Aesthetics. Falling hair given special at- 
tention zvith high frequency." One model is an 
old one whose beauty has been somezvhaf rav- 
aged by time. Her hair is out of style. Her purple 
velvet bodice shozcs visible signs of long usage. 
The zva.v on her cheeks has run. so that the paint 
has collected in a different spot on each cheek, 
giving her a somezvJiat grotesque appearance. 
Next to her is the bust of a middle-aged gentle- 
man of ruddy complexion. He has a szveep- 
ing mustache. His Jiair is dyed a shining black. 
He has the bland, fixed smile of stupidity. He 
is a bore. On his rigid is the bust of a blonde, 
her hair dressed in the latest mode. Iter com- 
plexion perfect. She zvears a zvhite silk bodice. 
(This scene may be arranged by placing the 
actors at a table to represent the zvindozv scat. 
Prolong the table by cloth around their zvaists 
and behind their chairs. Their feet are hidden 
by the drapery in front of the table. They 
thus seem to be busts.) Behind the busts are 
signs of manicure tables, booths, and other fit- 
5 . 



6 THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 

tings of a beauty parlor. They stare unblinking 
info the audience while the clock strikes twelve. 

Old Model. 1 do get so tired by midnight ! 
(Yawns.) 

New Model. (Smiling brightly) Oh. you poor 
dear ! At twelve o'clock I feel as fresh as a daisy. 
Poor thing! You have aged frightfully since I've 
been in the shop. Madam really shouldn't expose 
you so to the strong rays of the sun. Your wax 
did run so that last hot spell, didn't it? Your paint 
is nearly all off and your nose is actually blunted 
a bit. I think Madam should turn your profile to- 
ward the street. 

Man Model. (Pompously) Really you know I 
hadn't noticed it ; I never see anything amiss with a 
member of the fair sex though. Perhaps, too, it's' 
because we've stood together on this shelf for the 
past ten years. Hm-m. Well, I must admit to feel- 
ing also that the exhilaration of spirits I possessed 
this forenoon has to a more or less degree abated. 
But if 

Old Model. (Sncc::es) Oh, I beg your pardon, 
but I can't stand drafts the way I used to. My wax 
is wearing thinner and thinner as time goes on 
(sighs), and the wind struck me sharply each time 
the door opened today. 

New Model. Oh, I do hope tliey'll move you 
nearer the radiator so— — ■ 

Old Model. Gracious ! Goodness ! I should be 
an awful mess then ! Why my wax would all melt 
away, and then (sighs) I should never again dis- 
turb people with my sneezing. 

Man Model. (Tiresomcly) flow fetching the 
present style of coiffure is ! So charming on the 
young things that come into the shop. It adds so to 
the symmetry of the contour of ■ 



THE SHOP OF IM-:RPETUAL YOUTH 7 

New Model. Dearie! That just reminds nie. 
Why don't you change your hair "do" to something 
more up to date when we are alone here togetlier 
and have our freedom? Of course 1 understand it 
is hard to do much with that hair of yours that is 
becoming more and more streaked and faded with 
the strong sunhght. And how the moths (Ud ruin 
it last summer, didn't they ? But 1 think that with 
the advance of years you might be modest enough 
to cover your ears anyway, even with a moth-eaten 
left side! 

Man Model. I — er— er— er 

Old Model. (Tearfully) Let me sing you both 
a song about my own youthful days when I too 
was stylish. (Siiu/s in the tune of "The Alice Blue 
Gozvn." ) 

I once had a face of wax cjuite new. 

Most charmingly smiling and well colored too ; 

With dainty pink blushes its smooth waxen skin 

Once won admiration from eyebrows to chin. 

But it wore and it wore and it wore, 

Till no beauty it holds any more. 

In my once stylish lavender gown. 

When I was first brought into town. 

I was both proud and shy. 

As I felt every eye 

And the glances admiring of each passerby ; 

Then I wore my clear painted smile. 

For each one who gazed on me awhile. 

Yes, I'll aways remember 

That happy December. 

When I was first brought into town. 

Ah. yes. those were the happy days ! And. my dear, 
by the time you are m\' age. if they don't melt you 



8 THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 

up before then, you will have no hair to rearrange. 
The way they make their hair these days, it won't 
last more than a year. I think yours is made out of 
tow. Heaven knows those dangling dips they wore 
a few years ago were bad enough. They looked 
more like the handle of a jug than anything within 
the limits of description. But now the fuzzy Borneo 
wild-man effect looks as if the vacuum within had 
suddenly been tilled with air ; hence the outstanding 
appearance. 

Man Model. (Hastening to interpose) I have 
taken note recently of the increasing students from 
yonder young ladies' school who have sought to 
beautify themselves at this establishment of facial 
aesthetics. 

New Model. They must be going there for beauty 
culture, for they all speak of the school as being such 
a marvelous flesh reducer. 

Man Model. Well, well, do tell! I wonder if 
Madam has heard of that. It would annoy her con- 
siderably, as the sales of our Ready Reducer might 
be affected to a considerable degree. 

Old Model. (Dosing, snores.) 

New Model. Poor old soul ! She is getting waxy. 

Old Model. (Talking in sleep) And the cye- 
brozvs! The lovely green ones! They went so well 
with her blond hair ! (Starting np.) 

New Model. That reminds me wasn't it funny 
to see how furious Miss Dandy was when her eye- 
brows didn't turn out right ! 

Old Model. It served her just right. She should 
have been satisfied with the color of her eyebrows. 
Now hers is an exceptional type of beauty. Instead 
of having blond hair and black eyebrows, as she 
hoped, the new dye happened to turn her blond eye- 
brows green. (Giggles old maidishly.) She will 
have to have them plucked now. W'^liy, at least ten 



THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 9 

per cent of the eyebrows have been ruined by 
Madam's new dye. Do you remember poor Miss 
Smith, who was so nervous that her right eyebrow 
came out much higher than the left one? It gave 
her the perpetual air of telling a joke! 

Man Model. And our — a 

Young Model. They must be having finger-nail 
inspection at the school today, judging from the num- 
ber of manicures we've had. In confidence, I'll tell 
you that one of the men teachers came to have his 
done too — the new music master, I think. 

Man Model. That new innovation in the shop, 
the bobbing apparatus, is being devitalized by over- 
strain caused by the stupendous quantities of hair it 
is forced to sever midway between the roots and 
the ends of the hirsute appendages formerly used for 
the adornment of young females! I should like to 
remonstrate against this onslaught of the new- 
fangled 

Young Model. Speaking of styles, I am sorry 
the short skirts are about to go out of style ; but of 
course, made as I am only to the waist, I can not 
make personal remarks about them. (Siglis.) 

Old Model. Well, they are foolish anyway, es- 
pecially when combined with those enormous fur 
collars the women wind around their necks on the 
sultriest days in summer — and then call them "sum- 
mer furs" ! It is a ridiculous style never tolerated 
in my day. 

Young Model. Have you observed the number 
of young ladies from the school who come in here 
as brunettes and emerge as dazzling blondes ? 

Old Model, And of course that accounts for 
the change in their entire behavior, doesn't it? 

Man Model. I say. exactly how? 

Old Model. Most natural thing. The psychology 
of a blond and a brunette are entirely different. 



10 THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 

A blond is fickle, a brunette steadfast. Tbe blond 
can only think superficially, the brunette is a deep 
one. ^New Model snorts derisively.) 

Man Model. Are you sure about that? 

Old Model. Almost positive, from years of 
watching them in this shop. But you know it would 
revolutionize the science of psychology if we could 
get the honest opinion of a lady who had been both. 

Man Model. Ladies, may I be permitted to re- 
count to you the sad story of a brunette who be- 
came a blonde in two short summer months? 

New Model. What's so unusual about that? 
They do it quicker than that here. 

Man Model. (Sadly) Nothing, nothing. But 
when I was younger and lived in a stylish shop on 
The Bowery, my companion was a perfect Italian 
type, with coal black wavy hair, and flashing dark 
eyes. Oh, we were devoted to one another ! But 
a salesman of dyes was the instrument Fate chose 
to dissolve the bonds of our happiness. For by the 
glibness of his tongue he persuaded our owner to 
purchase a quantity of his blond dyes. And my poer 
Marie had to be the object of the first experiment 
with this pernicious substance. Alas ! fatal was the 
result. Her hair, once a lustrous black, turned a 
bright orange ! And her beauty was so shattered 
that she had to be taken from my side and put on the 
back shelf — an awful warning. But her hair instead 
of becoming duller grew brighter as the days passed. 
So glaring was its hue that it attracted each day 
great multitudes of small boys who would gaze for 
hours jeering into our sedate establishment. Our 
mistress feared the loss of her high-class trade, as 
the genteel customers objected to the notoriety we 
were gaining. So the companion of my youth had 
to be melted up for candles, as there was great de- 
mand for them in those days. Since then I may be 



THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 1 1 

said to be a man of blighted ailections, but with 
great esteem for the sex 

(Clock strikes one. An Elf appears from behind 
if and capers up behind the three models, tic- 
kling each in turn behind the ear. They turn 
ivith starts and cries of anmccment.) 

Elf. Don't you know this is Hallowe'en? That 
is why you have been permitted to talk for an hour. 
But don't you want to have some fun, instead of 
raking over tiresome old tales? 

New Model. Yes i Yes ! I have been nearly 
bored to death ! What can we do ? 

Elf. It depends on what you want most. I'll 
give you each a chance to have some fun till day- 
break, if you know what you want to do. I am 
going around the earth tonight looking in on the 
most bored people I can find and giving them a 
chance, if they can hear and see me. That is why I 
am so late getting to you ; it has taken me an hour 
to cheer up a newly married couple who had to stay 
at home alone together tonight. Speak up ! What 
do you want? (All this time he is capering around 
them, pinching the Man Model and stealing a 
kiss from the Old one's cheek. The Older ones 
are properly scandalised, the Young One delighted.) 

Young Model. Oh. some-a legs for me, 
please ! 

Old Model. Shocking young flapper ! h'or me a 
pair of symmetrical arms, if you please. I have al- 
ways coveted them in others. 

Elf. W'ell, old timer, how about you? Do you 
want a glass of milk, by chance? 

Man Model. Faithful to the ladies as always, 
I should only ask that their requests be granted, 



12 THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 

with the addition, that each be given both arms of 
surpassing beauty, and — a — hem — lower extremities 
equally symmetrical. Nothing would give me more 
pleasure than to see them gratified. 

Elf. Good old egg! They shall have arm limbs 
and leg limbs and so shall you. Presto change ! 

(The lights go out for a moment, then go up, shozu- 
ing the models standing on the floor fully 
equipped and acting very strange and pleased. 
They examine one another's changed appear- 
ance and appear highly delighted. So docs the 
Elf.j 

Elf. Come now, for some fun ! 

Old Model. Oh, if I might dance once! 

Elf. Good words ! Do you know the camel's 
hump ? 

Old Model. No. indeed ! 1 mean the dances I 
used to observe when I was young in the dancing 
academy across the street from our shop. 

Elf. How about it, old un, can you dance the 
kind she likes? 

Man Model. (Preening himself consciously) I 
believe so. with a little practice. 

Elf. Strike up music! 

(Music plays an old ivalt::. The two Old IModels 
circle around decorously in the old-fashioned 
dance. At the close he hands her to a seat cere- 
moniously and boii's. The Young Model looks 
on scornfully, spreads out her abbreviated skirts 
and taps her foot.) 

Elf. Now for you, sweetie ! 
Young Model. Dance with me? 
Elf. Sure thing. 



THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 13 

(They go into a violent paroxysm of modern danc- 
ing. The music is the zvildest jass. They 
dance until exhausted.' The two Old Models 
turn away from the ribald spectacle and engage 
in shocked conversation. A hell begins to 
toll.) 

Elf. Gracious ! How I'd like to stay the rest of 
the night, but I've simply got to go on my 
way. See you again next Hallowe'en. Think up 
some new wishes by then. So long! (Vanishes be- 
hind the clock.) 

(Lights go out. When they come on the Models 
are immovable in their places. It is broad day- 
light. Signs of activity are seen and heard. 
The Madam of the shop comes hurrying in.) 

Madam. My, my! How late I am getting down 
this morning. That's what comes of going out to a 
Hallowe'en party and dancing till all hours. Never 
was so bored in my life either. Bet these wax 
models had a better time than I did last night ! 
John! John! (]ou-n appears.) 

Madam. John. I guess I'll take this old figure 
out of the window and have him melted up for 
candles, as they're coming back into style this year 
and are rather expensive. Help wrap this Man 
Model up in papers, will you? I'm going to send 
him to the factory today. TJohn goes out for wrap- 
ping paper. Musing.) Guess we'll put the New 
Model in the Fifth Avenue shop. She'll attract the 
foolish girls and vain old women. The Old Model 
here (touches Old Model j has stood so many sum- 
mers and winters in this same place I think we'll 
keep her here at the old stand. The people in the 
neighborhood are pretty well used to her. and she 



14 THE SHOP OF PERPETUAL YOUTH 

stands for the place, so to speak. Ell turn her 
around, though, side view to the street, as her front 
is pretty shabby. Poor old thing! 

('John brings in wrapping paper and string and be- 
gins to zvrap up Man Model and Gjrl INIddelJ 

CURTAIN 



The Touch-Down 

A comedy in four acts, by Marion Short. 8 males, 6 females, but 
any number of characters can be introduced in the ensembles. Cos- 
tumes modern. One interior scene throughout the play. Time, 2J4 
hours. 

This play, written for the use of clever amateurs, is the story of 
life in Siddell, a Pennsylvania co-educational college. It deals with 
the vicissitudes and final triumph of the Siddell Football Eleven, and 
the humorous and dramatic incidents connected therewith. 

"The Touch-Down" has the true varsity atmosphere, college songs 
are sung, and the piece is lively and entertaining throughout. High 
schools will make no mistake in producing this play. We strongly 
recommend it as a high-class and well-written comedy. 

Price, 30 Cents. 

Hurry; Hurry^ Hurry 

A comedy in three acts, by LeRoy Arnold. 5 males, 4 females. 
One interior scene. Costumes modern. Plays 254 hours. 

The story is based on the will of an eccentric aunt. It stipulates 
that her pretty niece must be affianced before she is twenty-one, and 
man cd to her fiance within a year, if she is to get her spinster 
relative's million. Father has nice notions of honor and fails to tell 
daughter about the will, so that she may make her choice untram- 
meled by any other consideration than that of true love. The action 
all takes p'^'ce in the evening the midnight of which will see her 
reacli twenty-one. Time is therefore short, and it is hurry, hurry, 
hurry, if she is to become engaged and thus save her father from 
inijiending bankruptcy. 

The situations are intrinsically funny and the dialogue is sprightly. 
The chai'acters are natural and unaflfected and the action moves with 
a snap such as shoulil be expected from its title. Price, 30 Cents. 

The Varsity Coach 

A three-act play of college life, by Marion Short, specially adapted 
to performance by amateurs or high school students. 5 males 6 
females, but any number of boys and girls may be introduced in the 
action of the play. Two settings necessary, a college boy's room and 
the university campus. Time, about 2 hours. 

Like many another college boy, "Bob" Selby, an all-round popular 
college man. becomes possessed of the idea that athletic prowess is 
more to be desired than scholarship. He is surprised in the midst of 
a "spread" in his room in Regatta week by a visit from his aunt 
who is putting him through college. Aunt Serena, "a lady of the old 
school and the dearest little woman in the whole world." has hastened 
to make this visit to her adored nephew under the mistaken impression 
that he is about to receive the Fellowes prize for scholarship. Her 
grief 'and chagrin when she learns that instead of the prize Robert 
has received "a pink card," which is equivalent to suspension for poor 
scholarship, gives a touch of pathos to an otherwise jolly comedy of 
college life. How the repentant Robert more than redeems himself, 
carries off honors at the last, and in the end wins Ruth, the faithful 
little sweetheart of the "Prom" and the classroom, makes a story of 
dramatic interest and brings out very clearly certain phases of modern 
colkge life. There are several opportunities for the introduction of 
college songs and "stunts." Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

Niw and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free «c Kequesl 




The Return 

A cometlv in four acts, by Mar 
Coach." "the Touch-Down." 
modern. One interior scene. 

This comedy is founded upon and elaborated from a farce comedy 
in two acts written by J. H. Horta, and originally produced at Tuft's 

Hiram Poynter Jinks, a Junior in Hoosic College (WilHc Collier 
type), and a young moving picture actress (Mary Pickfora type), are 
the leading characters in this lively, modern farce. 

Thomas Hodge, a Senior, envious of the popula'ity of Jinks, wishes 
to think up a scheme to throw ridicule upon him during a visit of 
the Hoosic Glee Club to Jinks's home town. Jinks has obligingly ac'ed 
as a one-day substitute in a moving picture play, in which there is a 
fire scene, and this gives Hodge his cue. He sends what seems tn 
be a bona tide account of Jink's heroism at a Hoosic lire to Jink's 
home paper. Instead of repudiating his laurels as expected. Jinks 
decides to take a flyer in fame, confirms the fake story, confesses to 
being a hero and is adored by all the girls, to the chagrin and dis- 
comfiture of Hodge. Of course, the truth comes out at last, but 
Jinks is not hurt thereby, and his romance with Mimi May Mower 
comes to a successful termination. 

This is a great comedy for amateurs. It is full of funny situations 
and is sure to please. Price, iit Cents. 



J 



une 

A most successful comedy-drama in four acts, by Marie Doran, 
author of "The New Co-Ed," "Tempest and Sunshine," "Dorothy's 
Neighbors," etc. 4 males. 8 females. One interior scene. Costumes 
modern. Plays 2% hours. 

This play has a very interesting group of young people. June is 
an appealing little figure, an orphan living with her aunt. There arc; 
a number of delightful, life-like characters: the sorely tried likeabl.; 
Mrs. Hopkins, the amusing, haughty Miss Banks of the glove depart- 
ment, the lively Tilly and Milly, who work in the store, and .iinbitiou:; 
Snoozer; Mrs. Hopkins's only son, who aspires to be President of the 
United States, but finds his real sphere is running the local trolley 
car. The play is simplicity itself in the telling of an every-day story, 
and the scenic requirements call for only one set, a room in the 
boarding house of Mrs. Hopkins, while an opportunity is afforded to 
introduce any number of extra characters. Musical numbers may be 
introduced, if desired. Price, 30 Cents. 

Tempest and Sunshine 

A comedy drama in four acts, by Marie Doran. 5 males and 3 
females. One exterior ami thiee interior scenes. Plays about 2 hours 

Every school girl has revelled in the sweet simplicity and gentle- 
ness of the characters interwoven in the charms that Mary J. Holmes 
command' in her story of ''Tempest and Sunshine." We can strongly 
recommend this play as one of the best plays for high school pro- 
duction published in recent years. Pi.ce, oU Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject tc Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 W est 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free en Request 



